Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Are all dog groomers like this?

54 replies

FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 04/07/2021 19:22

My sister got her dog groomed today but had to work overtime so I picked him up. He's a cockapoo puppy, almost 1 and this is his third groom. The groomer is new to him.

When the groomer opened the door she didn't say hello, just started abruptly bellowing at me "Tell your sister to start looking after her dog. He was absolutely matted, it's neglectful, she's lucky I haven't reported her. £45 please" Hmm I said sorry can you elaborate. She then asked "How often does she brush him?". I said AFAIK 3-4 times a week. She snapped "Not good enough. It has to be everyday. I practically had to skin him". He wasn't skinned at all, he has a good couple of inches of hair still. She told me she'd left my sister a voicemail telling her "exactly what she thinks". I was annoyed and said how about educating people rather than shouting and carrying on at them? She said she's sick of people not brushing their dogs properly, to which I replied maybe find a new profession then.

Anyway when my sister came to pick him up she'd been upset by the voicemail - to avoid drip feeding, since having the puppy for various reasons her teen DD has been self harming and has had more than one hospital admission as a result. My sister is going through a lot and I know she tries her best with the dog, but she's had days where her entire energy had to go into ensuring her DD doesn't try to kill herself and it's been hard work.

But this is her third sanctimonious groomer. The first who did the dog's puppy groom moaned about "people forking out thousands for crossbreed mongrels" and the second moaned at her for being "yet another lockdown dog buyer". She pointed out she had him reserved since January 2020 and he is her sixth dog as an adult.

Are all dog groomers like this? I've seen some on FB actually take pictures of dogs and rant about how their (paying) customers are disgraceful for it coming sooner/not brushing its belly etc. I know it's not ok to allow a dog to be matted to the point where it's hurting them but whatever happened to educating and not judging people? I'm a teacher and me ranting at someone about how awfully they behave (not something I'd actually do) would be as effective as a chocolate fireguard.

OP posts:
Original poster
FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 04/07/2021 22:04

The three groomers didn't have the same problem though. Like I said.

OP posts:
romdowa · 04/07/2021 22:08

If 3 groomers have had a go at her, then I'm sorry to say that it's probably the case that your sister isn't taking adequate care of the dog. If she doesn't have the time to care for the dog then it would be kinder to rehome it.

Wolfiefan · 04/07/2021 22:09

Forking out thousands for cross breed puppies (whose coat they don’t know how to care for.)
Another lockdown owner (who bought a cute puppy and expects the groomer to sort out the coat they haven’t maintained.)

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Dogs
Original poster
FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 04/07/2021 22:09

@Wolfiefan please read my OP - puppy was reserved pre-COVID and she has taken care of plenty of dogs.

OP posts:
Letsallscreamatthesistene · 04/07/2021 22:12

[quote FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop]@Wolfiefan please read my OP - puppy was reserved pre-COVID and she has taken care of plenty of dogs.[/quote]
.....but apparently not this one properly. OP please dont get defensive. People are just pointing out that you may need to look at your sister for the blame here, not just shout about how rude groomers are.

Wolfiefan · 04/07/2021 22:14

But if she isn’t keeping on top of grooming that one then that’s irrelevant.

stevalnamechanger · 04/07/2021 22:16

@Panaesthesia

It seems a bit weird to choose to work with dogs, then complain that dog owners own dogs.

She might have a point on the brushing, but guess what - your sister hired a dog groomer to groom the dog. And the groomer goes "this dog hasn't been groomed"? Well, yes lady, maybe I should hire a groomer.

She certainly sounds like she's in the wrong job.

I think you miss the point
FeatheredHope · 04/07/2021 22:16

she has taken care of plenty of dogs
Then it’s weird she doesn’t have a long term groomer that she uses and trusts and she should know better about grooming her dog properly.

Original poster
FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 04/07/2021 22:19

@Letsallscreamatthesistene I'm not blaming anyone else for the lack of brushing - my point is that the topic could have been approached in a way that educates people, rather than shouting at people.

@FeatheredHope she's moved towns recently, hence the search for new groomers, her exH's sister used to do their old dogs

OP posts:
Powertothepetal · 04/07/2021 22:26

my point is that the topic could have been approached in a way that educates people, rather than shouting at people
Of course, but we all have limits...

Wool coats are high maintenance.
Many people dont realise this and merrily drop their poodle mix off blissfully unaware of the hidden matts underneath.

It is painful for the dog to have its matts fixed, if it’s really unlucky it may have developed ulcers/infection/hot spots in addition to matting.

Groomers want to brush dogs, not torture them!
She was probably furious at having to fix yet another matted dog and lost patience.

starwarspyjamas · 04/07/2021 22:28

I don't enjoy having to take the dog to the groomers. Although she's never been off with me I have seen various passive aggressive posts about other customers on Facebook, but surprisingly enough she's the only groomer in the area who has availability so kind of stick with her and live in fear of a public dressing down on Facebook for some perceived slight

FeatheredHope · 04/07/2021 22:34

Fair enough, but unless you are taking hugely good care of the cost (and I’m sorry but a bit of brushing 3-4 times a week is not that) then 3 groomers in 1 year for a this coat type is not enough. Yes, the groomer could have been a little gentler but it is neglect and they shouldn’t have to tell your sister to take better care of her pet.

FeatheredHope · 04/07/2021 22:34

*coat. Not cost. Stupid auto correct.

Wolfiefan · 04/07/2021 22:38

It’s not the job of the groomer to coax people into actually taking care of the dogs they already have. This one is probably sick of shaving dogs who aren’t being groomed. Don’t get a dog (lockdown or otherwise) that needs daily grooming then be annoyed with the groomer who’s trying to pick up the pieces.

ForkedIt · 04/07/2021 22:44

I know that you don’t necessarily start full grooms at 8 weeks. But for what it’s worth, my poodle goes to the groomer for a short clip every 4/5 weeks (which means the grooming at home in between is minimal). If he only went 3 times a year he’d be a mess.
If she can’t brush him every day she needs to commit to more regular grooming appointments and a short clip.

Anotherlovelybitofsquirrel · 04/07/2021 22:47

Your sister needs to look after her dog better is what I get from your post. No excuses.

MissDollyMix · 04/07/2021 22:53

Groomer was very rude. I’ve used a few in my time and had my issues with them for various reasons but never came across one who spoke to me like this. I wouldn’t go back to her! Some ‘dog people’ have very questionable people skills.

dillydallydollydaydream7 · 04/07/2021 22:57

Oh that groomer sounds awful!

We've been using the same groomer for 8 years now and they're absolutely lovely to us and to our spaniel

Gertie75 · 04/07/2021 23:00

I've been a dog groomer for 26 years and never spoken to a customer like that and the only time I leave narky voicemails are when an unreliable customer misses more than 1 appointment.

It is incredibly frustrating though when yet another matted poodle cross comes in, I feel so sorry for the dog as it's not comfortable having a neglected coat, the majority of owners though are great and do their best so the dog only has a few knots but I do get some come in with a matted coat and ask for a puppy trim, er no way.
I don't think any ethical groomer should put the dogs through hours of dematting, their skin hurts just as much as ours and the kindest thing is to clip it short and start again.
I've known many groomers over the years and they've all been lovely (except 1 but that's a whole other thread) and the fact you sister had had run ins with the only 3 she's met makes me think she's the problem.

Mummyoflittledragon · 04/07/2021 23:01

I don’t have the energy to brush and maintain my dogs coats so I keep them clipped short and have coats for them for the winter. I do things like clean eyes and keep nails short and take them to be groomed every 8 weeks. If your sister doesn’t want / isn’t able to maintain the dog, she needs to have it clipped short and regularly as I do with mine.

CallMeNutribullet · 04/07/2021 23:08

People who work with animals tend to like animals more than people.

As a groomer she likely sees a lot of people buying designer dogs without researching the work involved with the breed. Maybe that's not your sister but the dog currently isn't being cared for properly and that's set her off.

Mummyoflittledragon · 04/07/2021 23:15

Oh and I’m on groomer 3… well 4 as I booked a one off during the pandemic as the other was closed. 3

The first was nice but seems to have some kind of additional needs and couldn’t get things right then would ignore my texts to book so I went elsewhere. The second scalped my dog’s privates in two places and I had to get some cream as things ballooned into a rash - they sent a snotty text when I (courteously) informed them my dog had a swollen penis.

The third is lovely. I love her. She is amazing and so gentle and kind to both my dogs and me. She costs more than the other two but worth every penny and grooms the dogs exactly how I want. No 4 was very nice. But the groom she did wasn’t a patch on my regular lady.

I could imagine the groomer no 2 being shitty as you describe. But really your sister shouldn’t be bringing a matted dog. When my dog was younger, I didn’t groom him as much as I hadn’t yet found no 3. He mattre behihd the ears once. I teased out all of this and removed the knots I couldn’t. I would have been embarrassed to bring a completely matted dog.

Bringing a matted dog to the groomers to me is same mentality as z,a
those people in McDonald’s, leave rubbish and food all over the table and floor. Lacking compassion for the dog. Disrespectful to the groomer.

SeaGreenUser · 04/07/2021 23:16

Sorry - I am on the groomers side here. Matted coats - especially in breeds with thick undercoats, or painful for the dog when groomed. I'm sorry your sister has other responsibilities and so doesn't have time for proper daily grooming. She should have factored that into her decision to get a dog. What else doesn't she have time for? If she's can't brush the dog every day (not exactly a huge demand, it's a Cockerpoo not a Briard) what about it's teeth - that need brushing every day?

Sorry, but whatever other good reasons you have for spending time elsewhere, dogs are not part-time commitments. I have a friend who is a groomer. She cares deeply about dogs and it causes her total distress dealing with a dog like this. And she does, because she cares about making the dogs life better, not what the owner thinks.

Your sister needs to be more serious about all her responsibilities, not just the ones that she decides to find time for.

Brazilianut · 04/07/2021 23:17

No excuse for being so rude whatsoever.

BrownEyedSquirrel · 04/07/2021 23:21

I'm sure there are some lovely groomers out there but we've had 2 awful experiences.

One woman (proudly?!) told me she hit my dog because he was badly behaved.
Another was similarly sanctimonious about a few mats behind the ears.

Lol @ you telling her to get another job if she didn't want to see matted dogs, spot on!

Swipe left for the next trending thread